The Lord’s Breakfast

It is often noted that the meal of bread and fish that the resurrected Jesus shared with his disciples on the shore of the sea of Tiberias (John 21) is a sort of eucharistic meal - but it's rarely celebrated that way in churches.  So I've taken it upon myself to draft an Order of Worship for "The Lord's Breakfast."  I have used this book as a guide/template.

What do you think?  

THE OFFERTORY
All Standing

Minister: Beloved in Christ, the Gospel of John tells us that the resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberius, and was made known to them in the sharing of bread and fish.  Come then to the joyful feast of the Lord.  Let us prepare his table with the offerings of our life and labor.

During the Offertory, a Hymn or Psalm may be sung.  Representatives of the congregation will receive and bring to the table the gifts of bread and fish, and other offerings of the people.

Minister: O LORD, yours is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory and the majesty:

People: For all that is in heaven and in earth is yours.

Minister: Yours is the Kingdom, O Lord,

People: And you are exalted as Shepherd over all.

THE THANKSGIVING

All Standing

Minister:  The Lord be with you.

People:  And also with you.

Minister:  Lift up your hearts.
People:  We lift them up.

Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is truly right to do so.

Minister:  We give you thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, always and everywhere through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, by whom you made the world and all things living and beautiful.

Minister: Holy Father, most glorious and gracious God, we give you thanks that our Savior Jesus  Christ, after he suffered and died and was raised up again, gave us this memorial of this work. For on that morning he welcomed his disciples and friends to join him on the seashore for a meal of fish and bread, reminding them that he is the Bread of Life for he said: “The bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world,” and, “He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Minister and People:

His death, O God, we proclaim.
His resurrection we declare.
The life he gives we receive.
Glory be to you, O Lord.

THE BREAKING OF BREAD

After period of silence, the Ministers shall break the bread and fish in preparation, during which time the following may be said or sung:

Minister: The fish that we share, is it not a sharing in the Kingdom of God?

People:  Because there are many fish but there is one Kingdom.

Minister: The bread which we break, is it not a sharing in the Body of Christ?
People: Because there is but one bread, and we who are many are one body.

THE MEAL

Before the Minister and people receive the elements, the following may be said or sung:

Minister: Alleluia.  Christ our Redeemer is risen for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Minister: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

People:  Hosanna in the highest.

Minister:  The gifts of God for the people of God.

Then shall be said, either to the whole congregation or to each individual participant, by the Minister who gives the fish:

                The Fish that Jesus shared with his friends.

And by the Minister who gives the bread:

                The Bread of Heaven, given that we might have life.

During the mealtime, silence may be kept, or Hymns, Psalms and Anthems may be sung.

AN ACT OF LOVE

All standing

Minister:  Lord, let us know and love you and may we feed your lambs.

People:  Lord, let us know and love you and may we feed your lambs.

Minister and People:  Lord, let us know and love you and may we feed your lambs.

THE DISMISSAL

All standing

Minister: Go out into the world in peace.  Be strong and of good courage. Follow the Lord.  Love and serve him by caring for his people wherever you may find them.

People: Amen.